P1 Offshore have a new partnership with Papa’s Pilar, the ultra-premium rum brand inspired by the adventurous spirit of Ernest “Papa” Hemingway, an author, explorer, storyteller, conservationist, bon vivant and Key West local who is celebrated for what he was not: a spectator.
Hemingway owned the 38-foot (12 m) fishing boat named Pilar having acquired it in April 1934 from Wheeler Shipbuilding in Brooklyn, New York, for $7,495.
Pilar was a nickname for Hemingway’s second wife, Pauline, and the name of the woman leader of the partisan band in his 1940 novel of the Spanish Civil War, For Whom the Bell Tolls.
The main engine was a seventy-five horsepower six-cylinder Chrysler Crown Marine with a speed of sixteen knots, about 30 kmh. Hemingway regularly fished off the boat in the waters of Key West, Florida seen by many as the ‘spiritual home’ of offshore racing.
So, now Papa’s Pilar has become the official rum of the P1 Offshore series for the 2022 racing season, bringing their storied brand and award-winning rums to offshore powerboat racing fans. The partnership will include a pop-up activation at the P1 Village – a new fan-engagement zone with unique experiences and vendors – being introduced at the P1 Offshore Sarasota Grand Prix and carried forward through the season.
Jessie Behar, Director of Consumer Strategy & Engagement for Papa’s Pilar said
Hemingway had many passions, but his one true love was his boat, Pilar. He spent much of his time out on the water and lived a lifestyle where he was never a spectator. Papa’s Pilar was crafted to honour that sense of spirit. We consider ourselves citizens for the ocean and we’re excited to partner with P1 Offshore to continue honouring Papa’s legacy while engaging with racing fans and boating enthusiasts who share that same adventurous spirit.
P1 Village attendees and VIP ticket holders will have access to custom-produced merchandise, giveaways, music, games, and signature Papa’s Pilar cocktails.
On making the announcement Tim Ramsberger, CEO & President, Powerboat P1 USA said
We are thrilled to be associating with Papa’s Pilar and are eager to develop compelling and fun engagement together with our lifestyle brands. We look forward to helping continue the rapid growth and reach of Papa’s Pilar through our expanding entertainment platforms.
In true Hemingway spirit, Papa’s Pilar works with local and national charitable foundations and causes that support ocean conservation and reef restoration to preserve what matters.
The Hemingway family and Papa’s Pilar Rum have collectively contributed millions of dollars to causes and communities that advance literacy, water conservation, reef restoration and other worthy initiatives that would make Papa proud.
The season gets underway at the four-day Thunder On Cocoa Beach event on Florida’s Atlantic Coast from 19 – 22 May.
